3 Takeaways: Bulls Inexperience Shows in Rough Road Loss to Celtics
A Fast Start Couldn’t Last
Chicago used its pace to build several first-half runs, including a stretch that grew from an 8-0 burst in 42 seconds into a 12-0 run. That cut a double-digit deficit to 44-40.
The Bulls also recorded seven first-half steals and forced Boston into 12 turnovers. But the Celtics shot 51.0 percent from the field and held a 28-16 advantage in first-half points in the paint.
Third Quarter Changed Everything
Boston dominated the third quarter 39-21, turning a close contest into a comfortable lead. Chicago committed nine turnovers in the period, and the Celtics scored 17 points off them.
Peyton Pritchard scored 19 points in the quarter and made five three-pointers as Boston went 8-for-13 from beyond the arc. The Bulls had a chance to make use of the bonus after Paul George and Jayson Tatum picked up their fourth fouls, but they shot fewer free throws than in the second quarter.
Possessions And Bench Issues
Head coach Tiago Splitter has emphasized winning the possession battle, but Boston finished with nine more field-goal attempts and 19 offensive rebounds. The Celtics also scored 45 points in the paint, compared with Chicago’s 30, underscoring the Bulls’ rim-protection concerns.
Chicago’s bench had a different night from its 59-point performance in Milwaukee two games earlier. No reserve reached double figures, and Tre Jones finished with zero assists. The account also refers to Washington while describing Boston’s first-half turnovers and a prior third-quarter collapse, despite identifying the Celtics as Chicago’s opponent in this game.
Key points
- Boston outscored Chicago 39-21 in the third quarter on its way to a 134-99 win.
- The Bulls’ pace produced first-half runs, steals and forced turnovers.
- Boston collected 19 offensive rebounds and scored 45 points in the paint.
- Chicago’s bench produced no double-digit scorers, and Tre Jones had zero assists.